Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - fiber mesh showing in finished slab

I recently had a 60'x67'concrete slab poured that has a brushed finish.

I have had concrete poured before, but never had the fiber mesh show on the top. Is there a way to break off the fibers? What was the problem that caused this? Was it a finish problem and should I complain to the people that finished the pour?

Thanks

This does sound like a finish problem. Perhaps the setting concrete was overworked. This would cause the fibers to rise up to the top. The exposed fibers may not be a problem, but overworked concrete has too much water brought to the surface during the cure, leaving a slab with poor freeze-thaw resistance.

I had a contractor do a test panel of exposed aggregate with fibermesh once; looked like the concrete had a crew cut after it was washed! Never saw this happen with brushed (broom finish?) concrete other than an occaisional fiber sticking up.

I have heard contractors talk about burning them off with one of those big propane brush burners (or whatever they're called). They will also wear off eventually, but only in areas you're walking/driving. Talk to your contractor about fixing it.

Bruce

To add to my previous post. Sometime the fibers will stick out in a very stiff mix (low slump), which some contractors like to use in exterior pours. Do not let the contractor put a torch to the concrete until at least 7 days after the pour. 3 days if high-early strength cement was used.